Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, generally less than 5 millimeters in size, that result from the breakdown of larger plastic waste or are intentionally manufactured at small sizes for consumer products. They are commonly found in various environments, including oceans, rivers, soil, and even the air.
Due to their small size, microplastics are difficult to filter out of water systems and are easily ingested by marine life, often entering the food chain. The widespread presence of microplastics raises concerns about their potential impacts on ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
Benefits of this test include:
To test for plastic particles in the blood, a blood sample is needed. The plastic particles (if present) are then isolated and processed using a detection method in which the particles are counted their sizes are measured.
The client collects a dried blood sample by means of a puncture in the fingertip. After the dried blood sample is received, the content of microplastics is analyzed after the application of a dye that specifically stains plastic particles. Using imaging techniques, every particle with a size of 1-70 µm is detected and counted in the sample.